Package system with distribution gas insert

Abstract

Packaging systems ( 304 ) are provided for preventing post harvest microbial, including but not limited to fungal, diseases of food systems, such as but not limited to fresh produce, such as but not limited to berries (e.g., strawberries, blueberries, and/or the like). For example, various anti-microbial (e.g., anti-fungal) compounds (including multi-component compositions that can be selectively activated) can be incorporated into a container or sachet ( 26, 112 ) that in turn can be incorporated into a package insert ( 10, 100, 202, 300 ). The package insert ( 10, 100, 202, 300 ) can include various surfaces that are provided with a plurality of holes ( 22, 108, 204 ) formed therein for allowing the anti-microbial (e.g., anti-fungal) compounds to diffuse through the package insert ( 10, 110, 202, 300 ) and out through the plurality of holes ( 22, 108, 204 ). The package insert ( 10, 110, 202, 300 ) can be placed into a produce container ( 304 ), wherein the produce can then be introduced into the produce container ( 304 ) such that the produce is in proximity to the plurality of holes ( 22, 108, 204 ).

1 . A produce packaging system, comprising:
 a package defining an internal space;   an insert operable to be received within the internal space of the package;   wherein the insert includes an outer surface and an inner surface;   wherein the insert is provided with a plurality of apertures formed thereon; and   at least one anti-microbial compound disposed within or on the inner surface of the insert;   wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is operable to diffuse through the plurality of apertures into the internal space of the package.   
     
     
         2 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal space is operable to receive an amount of produce. 
     
     
         3 . The invention according to  claim 2 , wherein the produce is operable to be placed onto the outer surface of the insert. 
     
     
         4 . The invention according to  claim 3 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is operable to contact the produce. 
     
     
         5 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a base portion and an upstanding wall portion. 
     
     
         6 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the insert includes a base portion and at least one upstanding cylinder portion. 
     
     
         7 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is disposed within a container or sachet. 
     
     
         8 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is encapsulated. 
     
     
         9 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of hexanal, acetaldehyde, and 2E-hexanal. 
     
     
         10 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acid, 1-methylcyclopropene, isoprene, terpenes, 2-nonanone, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, methyl jasmonate, benzaldehyde, propanal, butanal, ethanol, acetic acid, allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), thymol, eugenol, citral, vanillin, trans-cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, furfural, β-ionone, 1-nonanol, nonanal, 3-hexanone, 2-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of ClO 2 . 
     
     
         12 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is released over a sustained period of time. 
     
     
         13 . The invention according to  claim 1 , wherein the produce is a berry. 
     
     
         14 . A produce packaging system, comprising:
 a package defining an internal space, the internal space being operable to receive an amount of produce;   an insert operable to be received within the internal space of the package;   wherein the insert includes an outer surface and an inner surface;   wherein the produce is operable to be placed onto the outer surface of the insert;   wherein the insert is provided with a plurality of apertures formed thereon; and   at least one anti-microbial compound disposed within or on the inner surface of the insert;   wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is operable to diffuse through the plurality of apertures into the internal space of the package and contact the produce.   
     
     
         15 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the insert includes a base portion and an upstanding wall portion. 
     
     
         16 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the insert includes a base portion and at least one upstanding cylinder portion. 
     
     
         17 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is disposed within a container or sachet. 
     
     
         18 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is encapsulated. 
     
     
         19 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of hexanal, acetaldehyde, and 2E-hexanal. 
     
     
         20 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acid, 1-methylcyclopropene, isoprene, terpenes, 2-nonanone, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, methyl jasmonate, benzaldehyde, propanal, butanal, ethanol, acetic acid, allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), thymol, eugenol, citral, vanillin, trans-cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, furfural, β-ionone, 1-nonanol, nonanal, 3-hexanone, 2-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of ClO 2 . 
     
     
         22 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is released over a sustained period of time. 
     
     
         23 . The invention according to  claim 14 , wherein the produce is a berry. 
     
     
         24 . An insert system for a produce packaging system, the produce packaging system including a package defining an internal space, comprising:
 an insert operable to be received within the internal space of the package;   wherein the insert includes a base portion and an upstanding portion extending upwardly away from the base portion;   wherein the insert includes an outer surface and an inner surface;   wherein the insert is provided with a plurality of apertures formed thereon; and   at least one anti-microbial compound disposed within or on the inner surface of the insert;   wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is operable to diffuse through the plurality of apertures into the internal space of the package.   
     
     
         25 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the internal space is operable to receive an amount of produce. 
     
     
         26 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the produce is operable to be placed onto the outer surface of the insert. 
     
     
         27 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is operable to contact the produce. 
     
     
         28 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the upstanding portion includes a wall portion or a cylinder portion. 
     
     
         29 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is disposed within a container or sachet. 
     
     
         30 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is encapsulated. 
     
     
         31 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of hexanal, acetaldehyde, and 2E-hexanal. 
     
     
         32 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of a material selected from the group consisting of cinnamic acid, 1-methylcyclopropene, isoprene, terpenes, 2-nonanone, cis-3-hexen-1-ol, methyl jasmonate, benzaldehyde, propanal, butanal, ethanol, acetic acid, allyl-isothiocyanate (AITC), thymol, eugenol, citral, vanillin, trans-cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, salicylic acid, furfural, β-ionone, 1-nonanol, nonanal, 3-hexanone, 2-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         33 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is comprised of ClO 2 . 
     
     
         34 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the at least one anti-microbial compound is released over a sustained period of time. 
     
     
         35 . The invention according to  claim 24 , wherein the produce is a berry.